purchasing a flamenco guitar

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alexandra

Posts: 1
Joined: Jan. 14 2006

purchasing a flamenco guitar

Greetings!

First of all, I'm new to the forum and want to introduce myself. I've been playing guitar for about 4 years, but only recently came to flamenco about 5-6 months ago. I've bought several of the instructional DVDs and recently found a great teacher; although I've been commuting from Madison,WI to Milwaukee for lessons.

In short, I love it, and I'm soon ready to purchase a flamenco guitar. I've been learning on a classical and think it's time to experience the benefits of lower action and more flamenco tone.

I'm sure many questions have already been asked about purchasing guitars, so if there are specific threads anyone could refer me to, that would be great.

Either way, I'd really appreciate some advice on how to find a decent guitar. I have up to $2000 to spend and think I'd like to go with a flamenco blanca since my classical is cedar and already has a warm tone. I've looked in the guitar stores in town and only saw one flamenco guitar that I liked, an Aria. I have a feeling I can find something nicer, however, but I don't know where to start.

Do most people have to order flamenco guitars? Or does anyone happen to know of any stores to look in in the south central Wisconsin area?

Are there any luthiers that have very solid reputations that I should look into?

Thanks so much for any advice!

Alexandra

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2006 18:06:00

XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to alexandra)

Ricardo Sanchis Guitars (from 2F up to 1AF extra) are often recommended and they would also match your budget.
Aria? Isnt that a classical brand? As a flamencoguitar never heard of. You should be able to find something better.
Other very good brands are: Francisco Barba, and Vicente Carillo, but I dont know their prices, since usually one has to look for second hand models.
Welcome

!

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Фламенко

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2006 18:15:30

gshaviv

Posts: 272
Joined: Mar. 22 2005
From: Israel

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to alexandra)

Try calling Tom from Lafalseta.com (he's also a member on this forum with the login of el zurdo). He is a nice and honest and can probably help you find something in your budget.

Aria is not known for its flamenco guitars, so I wouldn't consider it.

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Guy

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2006 18:29:21

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to alexandra)

Anders Elisson who is a member here and a highly touted luthier by lots of folks on this board has (had)? a 2A he is just finishing that should be right in that price range.

There are numerous postings about him here. Just scroll down.

I would sure contact him concerning the 2A.

Eliasson Guitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2006 18:34:55

JBASHORUN

Posts: 1839
Joined: Jan. 23 2005

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to gshaviv)

quote:

Aria is not known for its flamenco guitars, so I wouldn't consider it.

No, Aria aren't known for Flamenco guitars... just classical and steel-stringed ones. But even those are not particularly good quality, judging by the ones that I've seen taken apart at college. We had a lecture recently and the teacher brought in an Aria just to show us how badly it had been constructed. I'm sure their "top of the range" models are a bit better, but...

Everyone says Anders' guitars are superb. I hope to own one myself one day! The only problems you might have are the waiting list (if there is one), and the shipping and import duty charges.

James

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2006 18:52:55

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to alexandra)

Welcome Alexandra,
Don't forget the Search link here. Type in "guitar" and set the Time Filter to "All Topics".

That should keep you busy

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2006 22:06:36

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to alexandra)

Welcome Alexandra;

I drove 175 miles one way to have lessons with Juan Serrano. It was more than worth it!

Without question Tom at La Falseta is a great person to talk to. Our son bought his Ricardo Sanchis Carpio from Tom and is very happy with his purchase. Tom went out of his way to assist our son. There is nothing like a happy customer!

http://www.lafalseta.com/

If the maximum number of stars I could give was ten, then Tom would get the maximum from my family!

Now the above luither has two sons, who have been building guitars that are excellent quality! I have not found one that I would not want to own.

http://www.lafalseta.com/Hermanos_Sanchis_Lopez.html

The 2F is a great instrument and one that I enjoy playing. It is so much better than the many guitars I have played that cost three times as much. This is an instrument you would keep for a lifetime. It is good to learn with, play accompaniment or do solos.

My first teacher (Angelica Begliomini) would ask me, "Why do you always buy such expensive guitars"? My answer was;

“If you play a good guitar your playing will be a pleasure and you will want to learn. If you have an inexpensive instrument it could cause you to become discouraged”!

It is said that the greatest guitarist could play any instrument and make it sound like it was outstanding. Since I would suggest that we are not all in the category of the greatest guitarists, a good guitar allows the rest of us to enjoy ourselves much more!

By the way my Ramirez 1 AF in 1963 cost $264. Two hundred for the guitar and $64 for duty! How times change!

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2006 1:37:24

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to alexandra)

I don't recommend a Vicente Carillo for anyone with small hands. Mine are slightly small for a man, and that guitar was really tough on my left hand. Since getting other guitars, I've done a lot better. It has a wide neck.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2006 2:00:13

DavidT

Posts: 181
Joined: Mar. 17 2005
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to Thomas Whiteley)

How come the father has different last name from the sons:

Ricardo Sanchis Carpio
David Sanchis Lopez

I don't know how Spanish names constructed!!!

What part is the family name?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2006 5:22:40

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to DavidT)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rasgueo

How come the father has different last name from the sons:
Ricardo Sanchis Carpio
David Sanchis Lopez

I don't know how Spanish names constructed!!! What part is the family name?

In Spain they have two surnames, ie you take your parents last names so David's mother's surname will be Lopez and his father Sanchis.

Kate

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Emilio Maya Temple
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2006 8:50:19

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: purchasing a flamenco guitar (in reply to Kate)

quote:

In Spain they have two surnames, ie you take your parents last names

Kate;

There was a television show "You Bet Your Life." with Groucho Marx, which was popular in the 1950's. I was 11 years old when I saw a show that I cannot forget. I can still see and hear the show in my head. One of the shows contestants was a man named Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales. Perdo was born and raised in Texas and had a very strong accent like someone from Chihuahua, Mexico.

For those not familiar with such an accent I can best describe it as a song like quality where the words spoken have a high to low tone, and normally end on a high note, with the last syllable being lengthened.

Pedro was asked by Groucho how he got his last name and the story went something like this:

My father her name Gonzales, my mother his name Gonzales. My name Gonzales- Gonzales.

It broke up the audience and landed him in some minor roles in film and television.

Now my wife’s name is Enriqueta Cristina Mendívil – Bojorquez. Katy for short! Her family was from Zaragoza, Spain. Katy’s mom was kidded a great deal because of her last name. Everyone insisted that the name was Basque! My father in law stated: “There is no one more prejudice than a Spaniard”!

In doing family research I truly wish that the custom used by Spaniards and others to include the fathers and mothers last names was used universally. It would make research so much easier!

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2006 15:59:43